The top two teams in the Big East North and two of the top teams in Division Four girls’ basketball met at Lancer Circle Tuesday night.
When it was all said and done, St. Mary Catholic headed home with a 55-46 victory over Manitowoc Lutheran.
The Zephyrs scored the first nine points of the game, but the Lancers got to within two at halftime.
Two baskets by Lily Melhorn tied the game at 27, only to see St. Mary Catholic go on a 15-2 run to take a 42-29 lead, and they never looked back.
Lancers Head Coach Mike Behnke tells SeehaferNews.com that those runs were the difference in the game.
“We made some mental mistakes early, and they capitalized on them,” he admitted. “You dig yourself a hole, and then you expend so much energy to get out of it. We need to correct that immediately to sustain our energy for the full 36 minutes.”
The Lancers would claw to within four, 50-46, late in the second half, but would score no more, and the Zephyrs hit five free throws down the stretch to put the game away.
Behnke says his team can learn plenty from this loss.
“You want to know what your kids are made of when they are put in those tough situations,” he explained. “Our kids showed grit and never quit. If we correct the things we need to and get back to playing Lancer basketball, we’ll be just fine.”
Autumn Crowe led the Zephyrs and all scorers with 20 points, Lucy Nackers scored 13, and Gabrielle Guerrero added 10.
Makiah Krause led the Lancers with 19 points as St. Mary Catholic swept the two-game season series and improved to 8-0 in the Big East North and 16-1 overall.
The Lancers slip to 6-2 in league and 14-4 overall.
Manitowoc Lutheran returns to action Friday night as they host the Mishicot Indians.
